Lyre

(The). That of Terpander and Olympus had only three strings;
the Scythian lyre had five; that of Simonides had eight; and that of
Timotheus (3 syl.) had twelve. It was played either with the fingers or
with a plectrum. The lyre is called by poets a “shell,” because the
cords of the lyre used by Orpheus (2 syl.), Amphion, and Apollo, were
stretched on the shell of a tortoise. Hercules used boxwood instead.

Amphion built Thebes with the music of his lyre, for the very stones
moved of their own accord into walls and houses.

Arion

charmed the dolphins by the music of his lyre, and when the bard
was thrown overboard one of them carried him safely to Taenarus.

Hercules

was taught music by Linus. One day, being reproved, the strong man
broke the head of his master with his own lyre.

Orpheus

charmed savage beasts, and even the infernal gods, with the music
of his lyre.